Gymnastics ‘can boost Scotland’s event-hosting reputation’

THE World Gymnastics Championships at the Glasgow Hydro will cement Scotland’s reputation as one of the world’s elite event-hosting nations, according to Visit Scotland.

Gymnastics world champion Kohei Uchimura takes part in the World Gymnastics Championships at the Hydro. Picture: Jeff Holmes

Glasgow is welcoming more than 590 athletes from almost 90 countries, with over 50,000 tickets sold for the event - the most ever for a gymnastics event in the UK - which runs until November 1.

The championships is one of 16 major sporting events being held in Scotland between 2013 and 2019 backed by UK Sport funding.

The body is investing £3.4 million of National Lottery and UK Government funds into the events that are expected to deliver at least £24 million to Scotland’s economy.

Forthcoming events in Scotland include the Cycling Track World Cup in Glasgow in 2016 and the World Badminton Championships in the city in 2017.

Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “Scotland is now well established as one of the world’s elite event-hosting nations and the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow will further contribute to its reputation as the perfect stage for events.

“Following a remarkable 2014, during which the nation was the focus of the sporting world as host of the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, Scotland now has the capacity, capability, credibility and confidence to welcome sport’s biggest occasions.”

UK Sport has invested £1 million to help stage the championships, which it expects to deliver £5 million for the local economy.

UK Sports Minister Tracey Crouch will visit the Hydro to see the legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

She said: “Hosting the World Gymnastics Championships is another coup for Scotland and a real legacy from last year’s Commonwealth Games.

“The British gymnasts will get an incredible reception from the fans in the Hydro Arena and ticket sales have been really strong.”

UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl said: “Not only does the World Gymnastics Championships make use of one of Scotland’s world-class venues, it also gives thousands of people the opportunity to witness outstanding sport first hand and delivers significant economic impact for Scotland.”

Team GB gymnast, Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist Dan Purvis said: “The home crowd make a huge difference and definitely add that extra percentage of motivation and inspire us to excel.

“Competing at London 2012 and at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year proved how all our gymnasts rise to the occasion with the massive support from the British crowd and I’m sure that will be the case again as we aim for Olympic qualification at these vital world championships.”